Timed actuating device for aerosol dispenser



y 4, 1967 w. F. koLoozlEJ. 3,329,314

TIMED ACTUATING DEVICE FOR AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed Aug. 20, 1965 2 94 51 F/GZ VENTOR IN MINER E KOLODZ/EJ m m A TTORNEY United States Patent 3,329,314 TIMED ACTUATING DEVICE FOR AEROSOL DISPENSER Walter F. Kolodziej, La Salle, Ill., assignor to General Time Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 481,169 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-70) This invention relates to timing devices and more particularly to novel improvements for actuating automatically and periodically a spray dispenser, more commonly termed an aerosol container or can. More specifically, the apparatus of this invention is adapted to automatically and periodically control the opening and closure of a valve which forms part of an aerosol can. The valve may be of the metered or unmetered type, both of which are very well known to those skilled in the art of aerosol dispensing.

In brief, the mechanism to be more thoroughly desribed comprises a portable and compact timing device having a pair of circular mounting plates. The upper mounting plate supports a synchronous motor and serves as the upper bearing medium for the various members driven by the output pinion of the motor. The lower mounting plate serves as a lower bearing medium and mounts the mechanism that is instrumental in periodically causing operation of the aerosol can valve which results in a timed spray emission. The lower mounting plate is further utilized to mount an apertured bracket which serves to support the aerosol can.

The motor when connected to an electrical outlet continually drives a cam having a track generally of helix configuration which periodically elevates one end of an anchored coil spring. Such elevation liberates an operating lever for positioning under the coil spring end. When the high portion of the cam passes beyond the spring end, said end snaps toward the low portion of the cam. As the operating lever is now in the path of the spring end, that lever is forcibly pivoted to operate the aerosol can valve which results in a spray emission. The operating lever is then withdrawn from beneath the spring end and elevated to inefifective valve operating position.

Devices for automatically and periodically dispensing a pressurized fluid from an aerosol container are well known, but in general find resistance in commercial acceptance because they are faulty in operation and therefore unreliable. Others have been rejected due to their being either noisy in operation, cumbersome, unattractive or expensive.

Conversely, the assembly of the present invention is compact in structure and readily portable, attractive in appearance and relatively quiet in operation. It will become readily apparent hereinafter that the instant valve control mechanism is quite simple in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide an improved spray dispenser for periodically and automatically operating the valve of an aerosol can whether the valve be of the metered or the unmetered type.

Another object is to provide a continuously cycled conditioning means to gradually condition a flexible member for snap-action performance and cause rapid operation of an aerosol can valve.

In keeping with the above object, a further intention is to adapt a freely movable lever for slidable and pivotal movement with respect to a valve operator so that the lever may be moved to elfective and ineffective valve operating positions during cycling of the conditioning means.

Consistent with the above objects, a further object is to provide a timing element that is periodically engageable with the movable lever to time the period that the 3,329,314 Patented July 4, 1967 lever is in effective valve operating position during cycling of the conditioning means.

Another object is provision of a compact, portable and attractive appearing aerosol dispensing unit having a drive motor, timing and operating assembly, and can mounting facility in vertically stacked relationship.

A prime object is to provide an aerosol spray dispenser that is simple in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects, and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, illustrating the mechanism of the present invention as viewed substantially along lines 11 of FIG. 3 and showing the mechanism at a period in a spray cycle just prior to actuating the valve of an aerosol can. Some of the structure is omitted for the purpose of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the mechanism at a slightly later time period of the spray cycle, the aerosol can valve being illustrated in depressed and spray emitting condition;

- FIG. 3 .is a perspective view illustrating the valve actuating mechanism at a cyclic time period immediately following that of FIG. 2; the valve being restored to the closed condition; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but discloses an alternate means to effect valve restoration. The valve actuating elements are shown in the FIG. 2 position.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, a compact timing mechanism which includes an aerosol can mounting means is generally indicated by the numeral 10. The assembly is supported by a pair of circular plates 12 and 14 which are separated by a plurality of posts 15. The top plate 12 mounts a motor 16 which is secured thereto as by spring clips 18. Motor 16 is a commercially available A.C. type of the commonly known synchronous variety. A pair of pillars 20 are also fixed to top plate 12 and serve to secure a circular cover 22 as by screws 24. Screws 24 thread into pillars 20 after the cover is fitted over the assembly 10 and over the upper area of an aerosol can 26. A grommet 28 is pressed into a hole provided in the upper portion of the cover 22 to accommodate insulated lead wires which supply electric power to the motor 16 when connected to an electric supply source by means of the usual male plug (not shown).

Fixed to the bottom plate 14 of the timing assembly, as by swaging or the like, is a mounting bracket 30 having a circular aperture 31 in the center thereof. The aerosol can 26 is filled with a pressurized liquid mixture and is provided with the well-known valve assembly. The reciprocative stern of the valve through which the liquid mixture is dispensed is indicated at 32. A member 34, herein termed a valve head, is provided with a circular recess 36 (FIG. 3) that snugly fits over the upper portion of the valve stem 32. The circular recess 36 blends into a small bore 38 provided in the front wall of the valve head 34. It being well known to those skilled in the art thatwhen the valve head 34 is depressed, the valve stem 32 is also depressed, and the valve is actuated to open condition whereupon the pressurized fluid mixture is released through the small bore 38 in the valve head to emit an aerosol spray. The valve open position herein termed the operated position.

The customary head 40 is provided at the top of can 26 and fitted within the bead 40, adjacent the upper portion of the valve assembly, a generally circular insert 42 is fixed at a planar portion of the can 26. Insert 42 may have a plurality of upstanding tabs 44 formed integral therewith which are angled outwardly, as best seen in FIG. 3. The insert 42 may be of a plastic material that will recover after being slightly deformed. The lower portions 46 of tabs 44 act as gripping edges when the can 26 is mounted on the bracket 30. Accordingly, to prepare the unit for operation, tabs 44 are yieldably entered into circular aperture 31 until the lower portions 46 are flush with the base of bracket 30 whereupon tabs 44 recover to grippingly and frictionally mount can 26, as best seen in FIG. 1. Also indicated in FIG. 1, a guide finger 48, shown in dot and dash lines, is struck up from bracket 30 and acts as a positioning medium for valve head 34. The tabs 44 are entered into bracket recess 31 with the rear of the valve head 34 facing finger 48 with the spray part facing an elliptical opening 50 cut out of cover 22. Guide finger 48 fits between a pair of tabs 44 and together with oppositely disposed tabs 44 maintain the valve head 34 oriented with respect to opening 50 during reciprocation of the valve head.

With attention now drawn to the timing and actuating apparatus of the invention, a motor output pinion 52 is adapted to be rotated clockwise in FIG. 3 when the motor 16 is connected to a power source. Pinion 52 meshes with and serves to rotate a first gear 54 of the train counterclockwise. Gear 54 is fixed at the upper portion of a first shaft 56 having top and bottom reduced portions that are journaled, respectively, in top plate 12 and bottom plate 14. A disc 58 having an upturned flange 59 is fixed at the lower portion of shaft 56. The disc 58 has formed on a flanged portion 59 thereof a complement of relatively fine sawteeth 60. A light compression spring 62 loosely surrounds an angled enlargement of shaft 56 and is placed between the underside of disc 58 and lower plate 14. The purpose of disc 58, hereinafter termed a toothed wheel, will become readily apparent later in the description.

Fast with gear 54 on shaft 56 a transmission pinion 64 is provided which meshes with and serves to rotate a reduction gear 66 clockwise in FIG. 3. A second shaft 68 mounts at its upper portion reduction gear 66 and a cam gear pinion 70 at its lower portion. Shaft 68 is also jour naled between top and bottom plates 12 and 14 and pinion 70 meshes with a last or cam gear 72 of the train to rotate the latter counterclockwise in FIG. 3 when motor 16 is energized. Gear 72 is fast with a stub shaft 74 which is journaled at its bottom end in-bottom plate 14 and at its top end in a downwardly angled tab 76 formed from top plate 12 (FIG. 1). Tab 76 extends beneath reduction gear 66 to allow free movement thereof and also allows for compactness of the assembly. A rotatable member that acts as a conditioning cam 78 is also mounted on shaft 74 and is rigidly fixed as by rivet 80 to gear 72 for rotation therewith. Cam 78 has a track of a generally helix configuration to provide a high portion or drop-01f point 8 2 and a conditioning portion starting with a low portion 84. A coil spring 86 mounts on a stud 87 which has its extremities fixed between a pair of tabs 88 struck up from bot tom plate 14. Coil spring 86 has a fixed end 89 which is biased counterclockwise (FIGS. 3 and 4), bearing on bottom plate 14, and a flexible end 90 which is biased clockwise and is adapted to ride on the track of cam 7 8. Counterclockwise rotation of cam 78 (FIG. 3) serves to gradually flex spring end 90 upwardly. Spring end 90 serves as an actuating arm and may be guided during its flexing motion by a pillar 91, partially shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Pillar 91 mounts between plates 12 and 14 and acts as an additional brace therefor.

An operating lever generally designated 92 is mounted for slidable and pivotal movement on a pair of headed studs 93 and 94 which have their bottom tips swaged to bottom plate 14. Stud 93 is provided with a loose-fitting collar 95 having an upper, flanged portion 96 which limits downward travel at the rear end of lever 92 during its pivotal movement. An elongate slot 97 is provided at the rear part of lever 92 to loosely fit the upper shank of stud 93 to allow for sliding and pivotal movement thereat. A second elongate slot 98 is provided at the approximate central portion of lever 92 to also allow for sliding and pivotal movement thereof. Slot 9'8 loosely fits the shank of stud 94.

A multiple-purpose spring 99 mounts on the shank of stud 94 so that its free, lower end bears against a guide for a valve plunger 100. The free, upper end of spring 99 bears against a tab 101 formed downwardly from lever 92. It is important to note that such arrangement of spring 99 results in a forward and upward bias for lever 92. As best seen in FIG. 3, lever 92 has a turned-down end 102 that abuts flexible spring end 90 under the urge of the upper, free end of spring 99 when lever 92 is retracted to the rear position and flexible spring end 90 is at the low portion of cam 78. As illustrated, lever 92 is biased upwardly by spring 99 to the limit allowed by the head of stud 94. This allows for a slight clearance between the rounded, top portion of valve plunger 100 and the underside of lever 92 and ample clearance between spring end 90, when riding on the high portion 82 of cam 78, and the topside of lever 92, as seen in FIG. 1. Valve plunger 100 is guided for free-floating, vertical movement in a guide 100 the latter of which may be press-fitted into lower plate 14.

Lever 92 has formed downwardly therefrom a restoration tab or projection 103 which is adapted to engage the teeth of disc 58 when the valve is in operated position to terminate emission of the aerosol spray. That is, engagement of projection 103 with toothed wheel 58 moves lever 92, in timed relationship, from effective to ineffective valve operating position when the spring end 90 snaps from the high portion 82 to the low portion 84 of cam 78.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the particulars of a spray cycle will now be set out. By means of gears 54, 64, 66, and 72, motor pinion 52 rotates cam 78 one full revolution every half hour. This is purely an example cyclic excursion as the above gearing may be designed to provide longer or shorter excursions. However, as gear 72 rotates cam 78 to the FIG. 1 position, spring end (also referred to as an actuating arm) is gradually elevated to the high point 82 of the cam track. That is, the spring end or operating arm 90 is conditioned by the cam track during cam revolution. During the latter portion of such elevation, spring end 90 clears portion 102 of lever 92 whereupon the upper free end of spring 99 slides lever 92 forward in FIG. 3 or from the ineffective to the effective valve operating position, as shown in FIG. 1. The forward end of lever 92 is now positioned beneath or in the path of spring end 90. Slightly later in the cycle, cam high portion 82 is rotated beyond spring end 90 allowing said end to snap downwardly and thereby pivot lever 92 about shank of stud 93. This causes a rapid operation of the valve as valve plunger underlying lever 92 is also propelled downwardly to press valve head 34 to the open position. The mechanism at this portion of the cycle is in the FIG. 2 position. Spring 99 is now compressed and together with the internal valve spring (not shown) serves to cushion the descent of valve head '34 during the final stage of downward travel. An aerosol spray is now emitted from port 38 in valve head 34 through opening 50 in cover 22. Concurrently, projection 103 of lever 92 engages teeth 60 of toothed wheel 58 (see FIG. 2) which yields slightly against the urge of compression spring 62. As toothed wheel 58 is directly geared to motor pinion 52, end 102 of lever 92 immediately commences to withdraw from beneath and slightly clear of spring end 90, whereupon spring 99 (assisted by the well-known internal valve spring) rapidly elevates lever 92 as valve head 34 is propelled upwardly by the internal valve spring to close off the valve and terminate the spray. The mechanism is now in the FIG. 3 position wherein the upper free end of spring 99 causes light engagement of lever end 102 with spring end 90. For purposes of this disclosure, withdrawal and positioning of operating lever 92 from the FIG. 2 to the FIG. 3 position takes approximately four seconds. Accordingly, the timing mechanism is rated to performa cyclic excursion every half hour or effect a four-second aerosol spray every half hour.

With operation of the valve as above described, it can readily be appreciated that an aerosol can equipped with either a metered or unmetered valve may be used. Operation of the valve is rapid. Such action being essential if dispensing of the pressurized fluid is to be effected reliably and in a smooth, even spray when the metered valve is used. Valve operation is of short duration. This action is highly desirable when using cans equipped with unmetered valves.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4 to which attention is now directed. In this embodiment of the invention, parts which have substantially the same configuration or function as those described in connection with FIGS. 1-3 are given the same reference numerals with the prime suifix.

In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the timing and valve operation aspects are substantially the same as those described in connection with FIGS. 1-3 except that an alternate mechanism is provided to move lever 92 from effective to ineffective valve operating position. More specifically, projection 103 is not formed in lever 92; toothed 'wheel 58 and spring 62 are dispensed with 'and replaced with a cam and lever arrangement.

As illustrated, lever 92' is disposed in the valve operating position by spring end 90'. A timing cam 105 having a drop-off portion 106 is fixed to the underside of gear 72' clear of bottom plate 14'. Cam 105 is co-operatively associated with a first turned-up end 107 of a restoration lever 108 which is urged in the counterclockwise direction about pivot pillar 91' by a spring 109. A second turned-up end 110 of lever 108 is adapted to engage turned-down end 102' of lever 92'. Thus when cam 78' is in the process of elevating spring end 90 during a cyclic excursion, lever 108 is concurrently rotated by timing cam 105 to cocked position about pivot pillar 91 against the urge of spring 109. Shortly after spring end 90 drops off high portion 82 of cam 78' (as shown) drop-off portion 106 of cam 105 rides past first turned-up end 107 of lever 108 whereupon spring 109 snaps lever 108 counterclockwise causing end 110 to engage turned-down end 102' and drive lever 92 leftwardly from beneath spring end 90'. This allows lever 92 to be moved from the effective to the ineffective valve operating position with the aid of spring 99. The termination point of high portion 82' of cam 78' is arranged slightly ahead of drop-ofi' point 106 of timing cam 105. With such arrangement it canbe readily appreciated that timing of the aerosol spray may be effected.

Having described the invention by making detailed reference to the preferred forms of the elements thereof it is obvious that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore understood that this invention is not limited to the exact arrangement disclosed except as limited by the state of the art to which this invention pertains. What is claimed is:

1. In a timing device for periodically and automatically causing operation of a valve to effect an aerosol spray for a timed duration, the combination of:

timing means,

valve operating means including a valve operating lever and an actuating arm for actuating said lever,

a rotatable member having a cam track including a conditioning portion and a drop-off point,

said member rotated by said timing means at least one full cycle per revolution,

said conditioning portion actuating arm adapted to ride on said cam track and releasable therefrom during said full cycle of said member, said valve operating lever positionable into and out of the path of said actuating arm, and positionable into the path of said actuating arm while said arm is riding on said track,

whereby said actuating arm, when released from said cam track, actuates said valve operating lever for efifecting operation of said valve, and

means cooperating with said valve operating lever for positioning said lever out of the path of said actuating arm after said actuating arm is released from said drop-01f point of said cam track.

2. In a timing device for periodically and automatically causing operation of a valve to effect an aerosol spray for a timed duration and termination thereof after said duration, the combination of:

timing means,

valve operating means including a valve operating lever and an actuating arm for said operating lever,

a cam having a track with a conditioning portion that gradually raises to a high portion, said high portion terminating in a drop-off shoulder,

said cam rotated by said timing means at least one full revolution per cycle,

said actuating arm adapted to ride on said cam track from said conditioning portion to said high portion then releasable on said drop-01f shoulder during said cycle,

said valve operating lever positionable into and out of the path of said actuating arm, and positionable into the path of said actuating arm while said arm is riding on said conditioning portion of said cam track,

whereby said actuating arm, when released from said drop-off shoulder, actuates said valve operating lever for effecting operation of said valve, and

means cooperating with said valve operating lever for positioning said lever out of the path of said actuating arm following a timed duration after said actuating arm is released from said drop-off shoulder.

3. The combination of claim 2 further comprising a coil spring, said coil spring including said actuating arm,

said spring having a fixed end and a flexible end,

said flexible end gradually flexed to store energy therein when riding on said conditioning portion of said cam track,

said flexible end operating said valve as said stored energy is released therefrom when said cam drop-off shoulder releases said flexible end.

4. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said last named means includes a toothed wheel,

said toothed wheel also rotated by said timing means,

and

said valve operating lever having a tab arranged in proximity to said toothed wheel, said tab engageable with said toothed wheel during valve operation to remove said operating lever out of the path of said actuating arm.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said valve operating lever is adapted for slidable and pivotal movement and further comprises,

common spring means engageable with said operating lever to effect said slidable and pivotal movement thereof,

said lever slidably positionable into the path of said actuating arm by said common spring means during conditioning of said actuating arm, and

said lever also pivotally displaced under the urge of said common spring means following said timed duration whereby said aerosol spray is terminated.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said timing means rotates only one rotatable member having a cam track, and said cam track is of a generally helix configuration.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A TIMING DEVICE FOR PERIODICALLY AND AUTOMATICALLY CAUSING OPERATION OF A VALVE TO EFFECT AN AEROSOL SPRAY FOR A TIMED DURATION, THE COMBINATION OF: TIMING MEANS, VALVE OPERATING MEANS INCLUDING A VALVE OPERATING LEVER AND AN ACTUATING ARM FOR ACTUATING SAID LEVER, A ROTATABLE MEMBER HAVING A CAM TRACK INCLUDING A CONDITIONING PORTION AND A DROP-OFF POINT, SAID MEMBER ROTATED BY SAID TIMING MEANS AT LEAST ONE FULL CYCLE PER REVOLUTION, SAID CONDITIONING PORTION ACTUATING ARM ADAPTED TO RIDE ON SAID CAM TRACK AND RELEASABLE THEREFROM DURING SAID FULL CYCLE OF SAID MEMBER, SAID VALVE OPERATING LEVER POSITIONABLE INTO AND OUT OF THE PATH OF SAID ACTUATING ARM, AND POSITIONABLE INTO THE PATH OF SAID ACTUATING ARM WHILE SAID ARM IS RIDING ON SAID TRACK, 